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Lunch Loop Trails - Gunny Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.3 (104)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Western Colorado
  4. …Grand Junction
  5. Lunch Loops
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“A technical loop ride from the main Tabeguache trailhead up to the Gunny Loop Trail and back. ”

D L
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Map Key

12.2

Miles

19.6

KM

100%

Singletrack

5,531' 1,686 m

High

4,683' 1,427 m

Low

1,332' 406 m

Up

1,338' 408 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Holy Cross is a directional, downhill only trail.

Overview

Loop ride from the main Tabeguache trail parking lot on Monument Road utilizing Eagle's Tail, Pet-e-Kes , Prenup trails to access Gunny Loop and Holy Bucket, Holy Cross, and Curt's Lane trails to return to the trailhead.

Where the Kokopelli trail network between Loma and Mack has excellent flow with technical sections interspersed, the Lunch Loops are the opposite: very technical, loose and rocky with flow interspersed. If technical isn't your thing, then neither is the Lunch Loops trail system. There is hardly a straight section of trail within the network, keeping you on your toes at every blind turn.

This ride incorporates: Tabeguache Trail; Eagle's Tail; Pet-e-Kes; Tabeguache Trail (again); Holy Cross; Prenup; Gunny Loop; Holy Bucket; Holy Cross (again); Coyote Ridge; Ali Alley; Curt's Lane.

Note if riding this loop from the Little Park trailhead, tie back into Tabeguache Trail from Coyote Ridge/Raven's Ridge via High Noon.

There are several opportunities to lengthen the loop. Notably: climb Eagle's Tail to Eagle's Wing and connect to Holy Cross via Eagle's Connector ; Miramonte, Miramonte Rim and Leftover Lane are all accessible from the Gunny Loop/Holy Bucket intersection, or at Clunker. Lunch Line via Free Lunch are also fun to tack for a figure-eight loop with Tabeguache Trail.

Need to Know

The Tabeguache trail network (aka Lunch Loops) are nestled away in the south end of Grand Junction. From the intersection of Grand Avenue and the I70 Business Loop, go right on Broadway (Colorado 340). After crossing the river, turn left onto Monument Road. The trailhead is 1-1/2 miles on the left. Alternatively, if coming from Fruita, exit on Redlands Parkway and drive south to Broadway (Colorado 340). Go left then turn right after 3 miles onto Monument Road.

Riding the Tabeguache trail system can be extremely exerting. It is typically very hot and the technical nature of the trails makes them very demanding. Mileage in the terrain comes at a bit slower pace for most riders. Plan ride times and lengths accordingly.

The trail system is well marked; however there are several maps published for the area to aid with wayfinding. The BLM has a free map which can be accessed online. There is also a handy, waterproof, bend-resistant, pocket map for the area available at most area shops.

Description

From the parking lot ride south on Tabeguache Trail on the right side of the bike park. Take the first right onto Eagle's Tail, then the next left in a switchback onto Pet-e-Kes. Ride Pet-e-Kes (passing a junction on the left) to a t-intersection with High Noon, a cross-connection across Tabeguache Trail between Eagle's Tail and Raven Ridge.

Take a left on High Noon and turn right and climb Tabeguache Trail to Holy Cross. Go east on Holy Cross to Prenup. Go right on Prenup and climb back to Tabeguache Trail. Go left and climb to Little Park Road. Cross the road and look for Gunny Loop trail beginning on the east side of the road, slightly downhill.

Take Gunny Loop, passing Gunnector on the left after a short distance, then a bit further a connection on the right back to Little Park Road and Andy's Trail . Continue on Gunny Loop across a doubletrack (Gunny 2-Track) leading to the Little Park trailhead, and begin to descend.

The descent can be a bit hairy; particularly after periods of rain. Be on your toes and keep your head UP!

After crossing an old doubletrack, and a particularly gnarly drop, Gunny Loop passes Gunnector on the left a second time and takes a hard right. After a little more descending, Gunny Loop wends through two valleys with a hike-a-bike in between, eventually returning to Little Park Road.

Cross the road and continue on singletrack. Take a left onto Holy Bucket and ride to Holy Cross. Turn right on Holy Cross and ride to a junction with Clunker. Go left and climb to Coyote Ridge Trail. Go left and then take a right onto Ali-Alley and cross to Curt's Lane via Raven Ridge.

The beginning of Curt's Lane is a bit confusing as there are both a doubletrack and singletrack option. These two tracks converge just to the north of the junction with Leftover Lane, which spurs east at this location as well. Descend Curt's Lane back to the trailhead.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association

Land Manager: BLM Colorado - Grand Junction Field Office

Shared By:

D L with improvements by Daniel Schoon and 3 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 104 votes

#1

in Lunch Loops

#106

Overall
  4.3 from 104 votes
5 Star
54%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
4%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Lunch Loops

#33

in Colorado

#106

Overall
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Photos

#followcamfriday on my favorite descent in the Lunch Loops system: Gunny Loop. This trail has everything from butter smooth high speed sections to super technical rocky zones.
Dec 30, 2016 near Orchard…, CO
Gunny Loop is a ripper of a descent!
May 4, 2018 near Orchard…, CO
The downhill segment of the Gunny Loops is one of the best in the Fruita - Grand Junction area.
Jun 2, 2016 near Orchard…, CO
Just making a tight turn down Tabeguache Trail.
Aug 9, 2016 near Orchard…, CO
Tabeguache Trails...GOT TO TRY THIS PLACE!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
Aug 9, 2016 near Orchard…, CO
Just getting some air on Curt's Lane at Tabeguache...
Aug 9, 2016 near Orchard…, CO

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